Vermont woman dies trying to get help for fallen husband

IRASBURG, Vt. -- Family checking in on Stewart and Patricia Little Wednesday only found half the pair inside their Vermont home, CBS Burlington affiliate WCAX-TV reports.

"When they got there, they found the husband inside the house, and Mrs. Little was nowhere to be found," State Police Capt. J.P. Sinclair said.

Police said the couple had gone shopping late Monday afternoon. When they returned home, that's when authorities said Stewart Little took a fall in their driveway and Patricia Little couldn't physically lift her husband off the ground.

Investigators said she then took off into a field behind their house heading toward a neighbor's home to get help but she never made it.

"We suspect, obviously with the weather, that she may have fallen and was unable to get up," Sinclair said.

Search crews and dogs found the body of 71-year-old Patricia Little shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday.

"It's obviously tragic, very, very sad," Sinclair said.

Sinclair said Stewart Little eventually made it into his home Monday night but couldn't call 911.

Police said the relative who arrived at the property Wednesday was most likely responsible for saving Stewart Little's life. He was taken to a hospital with a number of medical problems but is expected to be OK.